At the end of every show, we always go around in a circle and thank each other for the amazing experience we had that particular summer. We share our favorite jokes, and wish everyone well for the upcoming year. Even though we did that this past weekend, we had to rush before the audience started coming in. So I've been spending the last couple days figuring out exactly how to tell you how I feel.
You all are some of the most passionate people I've ever met.
Whether it's about Shakespeare or theatre in general, you all love it. To quote John Green, "Nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff. Nerds are allowed to LOVE stuff, like, jump-up-and-down-in-your-chair-can't-control-yourself LOVE it. When people call people nerds, mostly what they're saying is, 'You like stuff,' which is not a good insult at all, like, 'You are too enthusiastic about the miracle of human consciousness'." There are all kinds of nerds in this world, and we happen to be a GIGANTIC bunch of Shakespeare nerds. We like all kinds of stuff, but what brought us together was this love of Shakespeare and his work. I said this on closing night, but I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys to geek out about Shakespeare with (or theatre in general, for that matter). I love finding a Shakespeare joke, going to Facebook to share it with you guys, only to see that someone already posted it.
You all are some of the best actors I've ever met.
You all are so freakin' talented. For a bunch of kids acting in a church basement with no budget, we pull together a great show and a great crowd. And every year our shows only get better as we grow and mature as actors. You guys are also the best to work with. We try to keep it professional (most of the time) and when we don't, it's because we're so excited about each other and what we do. I, personally, have done some of my best acting with you guys, and you know why that is? You all care about our show and our work. We're not doing Shakespeare for a class or because we have to, we all genuinely love these shows and who we're working with. We bring out the best in each other as people, but also as actors.
I love you all to the moon and back.
Over the last three summers, I have played a variety of parts. I played a romantic lead for the first time, I got exposed to a Shakespeare play I had never read before (and am now too obsessed with), and got to act in not one, but two, of my all time favorite shows. As this may have to be my last show with you guys, I wanted to you know how much you all mean to me and the impact you have made.
To quote dear old Will, "All the world’s a stage / And all the men and women merely players / They have their exits and their entrances / and one man in his time plays many parts." This line may be incredibly overquoted, but never has it been more true. I have played so many parts with you all, but now it is time for my exit. If I'm lucky, I'll get to play with you again next summer. But even if I don't, I know we are always bound together by a shared love of Shakespeare.
"I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is that not strange?" - Benedick, Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV Scene 1
